I was wrong, but i'm stunned by the reactin to last nights fight

[sumkalambay]

Actually Jaz if you think I've gone over the top it's probably just because all I've heard about since is the headbutts and holding. I didn't even think Ward performed to his full capability and felt he made a lot of those amateur mistakes that have plagued him, and I especially thought he went one handed far to often. Early he in the fight he was letting Kessler walk him straight back, later in the fight he decided to stand right in front of Kessler, probably not the best idea. Like I've pointed out, it was a bit sloppy and a bit ugly but he won every round (or should have at least) against the guy who people have considered the best in the division since Calzaghe left. That is a pretty big deal.

I didn't think he won every round, I think the commentator & crowd played a part, you have to bear in mind press row & 2 of the judges all had Kessler winning 2 rounds, which I think was fair, I believe I had the 5th & 9th.

I thought LudaSpud did well & can do better but there were WAY too many mistakes for it to be called a PBF or RJJ like performance. That is going overboard in my mind.

I've compared him to Hopkins all along and this performance was much more inline with a Hopkins-esque performance rather then Jones or Mayweather. At times yes, overall no.

I will rewatch the 9th but the 5th? I did a doubletake in realtime and upon rewatching thought it was Ward's again. I don't get that one but I will rewatch it a 3rd time and take notes to see what I think.

no way this was a hopkins-esque performance. prime hopkins loved to fight on the inside and he had every cutie counter shots in his arsenal. i saw ward trying to slip shots and do some damage on the inside but he did it so sloppily. it was like watching RJJ against Tarver in their second fight when he got knocked out. such sloppy footwork. but i think ward had a lotta nervous energy.

but ward can only learn from this fight. i think ward beats taylor and abraham in his current form.

[Spicoli]

Finally re watching,last night was a frenzied blur.Man,Ward is pretty wise beyond is young yrs.Kess was straight up tentative...pinned him in 1st on ropes and backed off.Ward was a ring general...very subtle cagey moves.Not talking about the headbutts and back and forth,he kept positioning Kessler round about 2:10 off ropes in 2nd with left hand.....he basically cupped him and Kessler had to reset (Kess should have punched him in the mouth).Impressed with Wards willingness....he walked to him and loaded up.

[Spicoli]

Missed that left on him coming in,those lefts were working well.sorry but Kessler was clueless on the inside in 3rd,he was clinching,complaining & Wards corner strategy was to punch into them and out of them.

[holmcall]

One of the things boxers are taught at an early age is you do it until you are told not to do it. In other words, it's legal until it's illegal. In this case, the referee (and I have seen better) allowed Ward to hold, so Ward, like a veteran, continued to do it. That was being smart. As for the measuring, he should have been warned, but was not, so he continued to do it. The second heab butt did look like a billy goat-type butt but we will never know it it was intentional.

But like I say, you are out there to win and if you can get away with some of the borderline stuff (ala Hopkins), do it unless it is not in your disposition to fight that way.

By the way, this is my 1,500 post. Do I get anything?

[CFH]

One of the things boxers are taught at an early age is you do it until you are told not to do it. In other words, it's legal until it's illegal. In this case, the referee (and I have seen better) allowed Ward to hold, so Ward, like a veteran, continued to do it. That was being smart. As for the measuring, he should have been warned, but was not, so he continued to do it. The second heab butt did look like a billy goat-type butt but we will never know it it was intentional.

But like I say, you are out there to win and if you can get away with some of the borderline stuff (ala Hopkins), do it unless it is not in your disposition to fight that way.

By the way, this is my 1,500 post. Do I get anything?

Yup, the pictures of Oumafan and Fenster frolicking naked at the MOD Christmas party should be making their way to your inbox soon.

[Nameless]

One of the things boxers are taught at an early age is you do it until you are told not to do it. In other words, it's legal until it's illegal. In this case, the referee (and I have seen better) allowed Ward to hold, so Ward, like a veteran, continued to do it. That was being smart. As for the measuring, he should have been warned, but was not, so he continued to do it. The second heab butt did look like a billy goat-type butt but we will never know it it was intentional.

But like I say, you are out there to win and if you can get away with some of the borderline stuff (ala Hopkins), do it unless it is not in your disposition to fight that way.

By the way, this is my 1,500 post. Do I get anything?

Yup, the pictures of Oumafan and Fenster frolicking naked at the MOD Christmas party should be making their way to your inbox soon.

Is it good for me too, then? I would prefer MIssy and Diane frolicking together if possible, though.